*Chapter 12: Gruesome Memory*

She found herself back in the past, but this time it's different. She is in the little house with a well. The same well Pennywise goes in and out of. Belle looked around to see candle lights flicker. Then, the woman rushes in the room and slams the door, startling Belle.

"Hello?" She called, but the woman doesn't hear her. Belle could hear crying from the baby. The woman was in tears, holding the baby close, trying to hush him, but the baby continues to wail. Belle can sense the baby's fear. "What is happening in this time period?" Belle wondered. The small candle chandelier slowly spins above her and the woman. As if some unnatural force has caused its light to rotate around the room, like tiny primitive searchlights. Belle then hears something slithering in the gray shadows by the well. The woman was breathing heavily in fear as she watches the well.
Belle catches glimpses of a black silhouette. Shifting its shape. As if trying to decide on a form. Growling came out of the figure. Belle recognizes the sound anywhere.

"Please devil...leave us be." The woman pleaded. A beam of light passes, revealing the creature, naked, lithe, flesh pale and translucent, a half formed imitation of a human, opens his maw full of large razor sharp teeth, dripping with saliva. Belle gasped at the sight of a creature. This must be Pennywise before he forms as a clown. She had finally seen what this creature under the clown looks like.

"My god..." Belle whispered, covering her mouth with one hand. She never felt this frightened. As the tin can spins clockwise, Pennywise moves counter around the room. Each time the light hits his face — it's different. A Man. A Woman. A Beast. A Monster. He started to speak in a deep, guttural and unnatural tone. His eyes glow yellow.

"You mistake me woman. No mere devil, I am the Eater of Worlds." He growled. The woman, Abigail, pleaded to the creature.

"But my child, not my child… He is innocent…"

"So you say." The baby screams. Pennywise smiles and inhale the scent. "Beautiful fear…"

"I pray thee, take me." Abigail begged. Belle watches the scene in pity and fear. She hears Pennywise speak again. He got close and made the poor woman stumble back with her baby.

"I will. And then, him. And thy husband and the rest of thy children, and all the savages who brought you here. And when you all rot in the earth, I will pick thy bones dry until no meat is left to pick. And then I will seek out thy bones and consume thy souls until nothing is left but the weeds!" He paused when he continues to hear Abigail cry. He raises a finger up, continue to speak to her. "Or you will occupy yourself otherwise and not interfere. I will take her and you will live, and those of thy other children — in whom I take no interest. And you will thank ME fever and frost did not damn you to the soil." Abigail looks down at her baby again. She's shaking, doesn't want to let go. Behind her, the door opens. A little boy, age of 6, sees his mother and a creature. Belle turns to him. He looks like Georgie, except he has two arms.

"Mama? What is-"

"NO! OUT! NOW!" Abigail yelled. Frightened by his mother, the boy runs. Abigail turns back to Pennywise, wherever he may be now in the room. The light somehow seems to spin faster now. Belle couldn't keep her eyes off of Pennywise's form. And the voice was so terrifying. She turns back to Abigail who kisses her baby and sets it down. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry…"

"No..." Belle whispered, shaking her head. Abigail turns away from the baby. Facing those dying embers. Belle slowly turn to see Pennywise crawls over to the baby and starts to feast. A sharp cry from the baby was bloodcurdling as the creature lays his teeth on him, then a loud crunch cuts off the sound of an infant. Belle gaped at the horrific scene, covering her mouth from throwing up. Not only Pennywise eats children, he could eat babies. Belle couldn't look away from the creature eating a baby, or block the sounds of chomping. Abigail continues to look into the bright orange glow of not the flickering fire...but the Deadlights. Her expression changing. Fear. Denial. Grief. Acceptance. And then nothing. Just a glazed look. As if nothing horrific is actually happening.
Belle finally shuts her eyes, begging to get out of this memory.

XX

The room around her went dark. Everything is quiet. No crying, no crunching sounds, nothing but silence. Belle opened her eyes, trying to see anything in sight. She calls out. Her voice echoes in the darkness. What is going on? Belle began to walk forward, but it didn't help since there is nowhere to go. The past from 1600s was something she didn't want to see, now she couldn't get it out of her mind now. The poor innocent baby.

"Why was that shown to me? I didn't ask for it." She wondered.

"Just to show you how much of a monster he is, my child." A deep ancient voice said. Belle spun around, but there was no one. "Do not be afraid. I am a friend. I will only communicate with you when you sleep. And he won't be able to block me out."

"What're you talking about? Who are you?" Belle asked.

"He told you about me, but not much. I am Maturin."

"Maturin. Wait, you're the turtle. But, I can't see you."

"You will see me in time, my child. I have been watching you since Pennywise marked you and made you immortal." The voice, Maturin, replied. "You have been struggling with this type of life. You wish not to harm humans. Yet I see you and Pennywise are slowly bonding."

"Whatever you are thinking, it is nothing. I only did this to save the kids I know and love. Georgie almost died." Belle said with a look in her eyes. They could turn yellow. "I'm going to be a full monster like him the more I feed. And I will hibernate with him if I must."

"That long rest is up to you. Not all creatures are the same. You, my child, are special. You are called the guardian of children. You let Pennywise eat the children while you eat adults." Maturin spoke. Belle can hear disappointment in the voice of the turtle's. But, what choice does she have? Pennywise has to eat children since they are easier to scare and it satisfies his hunger. She couldn't talk him out of it since the beginning. Before she could reply to the voice, a small bright light appeared. "I must go, my child. You are about to wake up. We will speak again."

"Maturin, wait!" Belle called, blocking the light. But the turtle didn't respond to her.

Belle woke up with a start, sweating. She panted, feeling her heart beating like a jackhammer. First a memory of Pennywise eating a baby, then she spoke to a turtle Robert told her about. If only she could see him, but he is in the darkness. He was warning her about Pennywise, but she knew he is very dangerous. But, was the turtle worried about Belle's bonding with a clown? Like grow liking to him?

"No. I'm just a mate, but it didn't mean anything. I did this for Georgie and the others." Belle said to herself. "I doubt Pennywise has a heart to..." She paused when she thought back the day before. She plays the piano and sing for Pennywise. The reaction on his painted face was...different. It looks soft and calm. There is no anger or devious on him. He really did like her voice. And he wanted to do the same for her sometime. A creature like him couldn't change, right? Belle will never know.
She lays back down to get back to sleep. She had a few hours before sunrise. Belle let out a sigh before closing her eyes, hoping she won't be having nightmares.